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Please suggest an alternative to Creative Titanium HD for competitive gaming

post #1 of 5
Thread Starter 
Hi,

As per OCN's Most Recommended Audio Products thread, the top recommended sound card for gaming is the Creative Titanium HD.

However as some people are having issues with this one (card not being recognised) I wish to try something else. I want to buy a good sound card for competitive FPS gaming (Details below) that has high chances of lasting 2+ years.

I will also be looking to upgrade from my Steelseries Siberia V2 headset. As silly as it sounds, it has to be a headset, this is a non-negotiable for me.

Template:
1.State your budget! (Set an absolute maximum or give a relative maximum with + x amount if it will be amazingly better).
2.State your music tastes
3.State what perks are highly desirable (low impedance, heavy bass, excellent for gaming etc..)
4.State what products you already have and are planning on using with your recommended item (state whether you have an amp if you're looking for headphones with high impedance for example)
5.State how you are going to use the item (e.g. out-and-about, at the gym, at home, PC / console, gaming, music etc). The more detail in this, the better.
6.State where you live and offer some sites that are known for having good prices / being reputable so we can help recommend you products in your country's currency (like Amazon or ebay).

1. $800-$1000 total - for sound card and headset.
2. Mostly Drum and bass and Dubstep(bass heavy). However I enjoy most music genres as well. I am willing to cut corners here if the gaming sound positioning is -outstanding-
3. 90% gaming, 10% music. No pretty lights and I prefer no power connector required for the card, BUT am willing to work around this if needed. I don't really want to bother with amps if it can be avoided.
4. Steelseries Siberia V2 headset and integrated audio on my Rampage IV Extreme.
5. Home use only
6. I can adjust my budget accordingly, price off Newegg.com or other US websites is fine.

Thank you for your help guys.
    
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
3930k C2 Daily [4.5Ghz] Bench 5Ghz R4E [1404] 680L Daily [1330/7050] Bench 1395/7258 16GB Samsung Daily [2133] Bench 2400 
Hard DriveHard DriveCoolingOS
Sandisk Ex. 240GB [SSD] WD Caviar Black 1TB FAEX H220, [AP-15s, Push] Windows 7 [64bit] 
MonitorKeyboardPowerCase
Benq XL2420T [120hz] SS 6Gv2 [Cherry MX Black] Corsair HX850  Switch 810 [Matte Black] 
MouseMouse PadAudioOther
[Zowie AM], CM Spawn, G400, Abyssus, WMO, I.E 1... SS QCK+ x2 Xonar Essence STX + DT770 Pro 80ohm, COP, Siber... Scythe Q12 Fan Controller 
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CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
3930k C2 Daily [4.5Ghz] Bench 5Ghz R4E [1404] 680L Daily [1330/7050] Bench 1395/7258 16GB Samsung Daily [2133] Bench 2400 
Hard DriveHard DriveCoolingOS
Sandisk Ex. 240GB [SSD] WD Caviar Black 1TB FAEX H220, [AP-15s, Push] Windows 7 [64bit] 
MonitorKeyboardPowerCase
Benq XL2420T [120hz] SS 6Gv2 [Cherry MX Black] Corsair HX850  Switch 810 [Matte Black] 
MouseMouse PadAudioOther
[Zowie AM], CM Spawn, G400, Abyssus, WMO, I.E 1... SS QCK+ x2 Xonar Essence STX + DT770 Pro 80ohm, COP, Siber... Scythe Q12 Fan Controller 
  hide details  
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post #2 of 5

Look into the newly released Creative Soundblaster Z series

 

They seem solid with good drivers.

 

http://asia.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=872&product=21402

 

I will be getting one

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Logitech G700 Wireless Gaming Mouse Khan Rapid Pad Creative Soundblaster Zx Edifier M3200 Speakers 
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A35A
(28 items)
 
Office Laptop
(3 items)
 
 
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
i5 3570k @4.4 Asus Sabertooth Z77  Asus GTX Titan Corsair 2*4gb DDR3 1600mhz CL9 
Hard DriveHard DriveHard DriveCooling
Samsung 1TB OCZ Agility 3 SSD 120GB Corsair Force GT 60 GB (boot) Corsair H100 
CoolingCoolingOSMonitor
2x Noctua NF-P12  4x Cooling Swiff 1201 12cm Fans Windows 8 Pro 64 bit Asus VG278H 3Dvision 2 
MonitorKeyboardPowerCase
Samsung 40C8000XW 3D Led TV Logitech G710 Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W Cosmos II 
MouseMouse PadAudioAudio
Logitech G700 Wireless Gaming Mouse Khan Rapid Pad Creative Soundblaster Zx Edifier M3200 Speakers 
AudioAudioOtherOther
AKG AGS Headset Asus Vulcan Headset Linksys AE3000 Wireless Router Logitech C920 Full HD Webcam 
OtherOtherOtherOther
HP Photosmart 7510 all in one printer Team Group Card Reader (USB 3.0) Wireless Xbox 360 gamepad Nokia Lumia 920 
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post #3 of 5
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by iARDAs View Post

Look into the newly released Creative Soundblaster Z series

They seem solid with good drivers.

http://asia.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=872&product=21402

I will be getting one

I will check out some reviews, thanks for the tip. +1
    
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
3930k C2 Daily [4.5Ghz] Bench 5Ghz R4E [1404] 680L Daily [1330/7050] Bench 1395/7258 16GB Samsung Daily [2133] Bench 2400 
Hard DriveHard DriveCoolingOS
Sandisk Ex. 240GB [SSD] WD Caviar Black 1TB FAEX H220, [AP-15s, Push] Windows 7 [64bit] 
MonitorKeyboardPowerCase
Benq XL2420T [120hz] SS 6Gv2 [Cherry MX Black] Corsair HX850  Switch 810 [Matte Black] 
MouseMouse PadAudioOther
[Zowie AM], CM Spawn, G400, Abyssus, WMO, I.E 1... SS QCK+ x2 Xonar Essence STX + DT770 Pro 80ohm, COP, Siber... Scythe Q12 Fan Controller 
  hide details  
Reply
    
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
3930k C2 Daily [4.5Ghz] Bench 5Ghz R4E [1404] 680L Daily [1330/7050] Bench 1395/7258 16GB Samsung Daily [2133] Bench 2400 
Hard DriveHard DriveCoolingOS
Sandisk Ex. 240GB [SSD] WD Caviar Black 1TB FAEX H220, [AP-15s, Push] Windows 7 [64bit] 
MonitorKeyboardPowerCase
Benq XL2420T [120hz] SS 6Gv2 [Cherry MX Black] Corsair HX850  Switch 810 [Matte Black] 
MouseMouse PadAudioOther
[Zowie AM], CM Spawn, G400, Abyssus, WMO, I.E 1... SS QCK+ x2 Xonar Essence STX + DT770 Pro 80ohm, COP, Siber... Scythe Q12 Fan Controller 
  hide details  
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post #4 of 5

No problem. There are very very few reviews as the soundcard just got released.

 

Check this thread too

 

http://www.overclock.net/t/1294552/creative-creative-introduces-the-sound-blaster-z-series/0_50

A35A
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Office Laptop
(3 items)
 
 
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
i5 3570k @4.4 Asus Sabertooth Z77  Asus GTX Titan Corsair 2*4gb DDR3 1600mhz CL9 
Hard DriveHard DriveHard DriveCooling
Samsung 1TB OCZ Agility 3 SSD 120GB Corsair Force GT 60 GB (boot) Corsair H100 
CoolingCoolingOSMonitor
2x Noctua NF-P12  4x Cooling Swiff 1201 12cm Fans Windows 8 Pro 64 bit Asus VG278H 3Dvision 2 
MonitorKeyboardPowerCase
Samsung 40C8000XW 3D Led TV Logitech G710 Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W Cosmos II 
MouseMouse PadAudioAudio
Logitech G700 Wireless Gaming Mouse Khan Rapid Pad Creative Soundblaster Zx Edifier M3200 Speakers 
AudioAudioOtherOther
AKG AGS Headset Asus Vulcan Headset Linksys AE3000 Wireless Router Logitech C920 Full HD Webcam 
OtherOtherOtherOther
HP Photosmart 7510 all in one printer Team Group Card Reader (USB 3.0) Wireless Xbox 360 gamepad Nokia Lumia 920 
  hide details  
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A35A
(28 items)
 
Office Laptop
(3 items)
 
 
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
i5 3570k @4.4 Asus Sabertooth Z77  Asus GTX Titan Corsair 2*4gb DDR3 1600mhz CL9 
Hard DriveHard DriveHard DriveCooling
Samsung 1TB OCZ Agility 3 SSD 120GB Corsair Force GT 60 GB (boot) Corsair H100 
CoolingCoolingOSMonitor
2x Noctua NF-P12  4x Cooling Swiff 1201 12cm Fans Windows 8 Pro 64 bit Asus VG278H 3Dvision 2 
MonitorKeyboardPowerCase
Samsung 40C8000XW 3D Led TV Logitech G710 Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W Cosmos II 
MouseMouse PadAudioAudio
Logitech G700 Wireless Gaming Mouse Khan Rapid Pad Creative Soundblaster Zx Edifier M3200 Speakers 
AudioAudioOtherOther
AKG AGS Headset Asus Vulcan Headset Linksys AE3000 Wireless Router Logitech C920 Full HD Webcam 
OtherOtherOtherOther
HP Photosmart 7510 all in one printer Team Group Card Reader (USB 3.0) Wireless Xbox 360 gamepad Nokia Lumia 920 
  hide details  
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post #5 of 5
with that price range you can do a lot.

The Very Very Best Money Can Buy (No Budget)

beyerdynamic Headzone Base Station H 1

$1155 at time of writing. Highly fantastic 'head-tracking' technology that tracks you head so when you turn your head, the directional cue stays where it is, like in real life. This is how it works in layman's terms!

That said, if you're interested in the new cards out: The Asus ROG Phoebus and the Creative Recon3D and the Creative sound Blaster Z are pretty good and relativity new

your headset looks good but if you want to buy another one heres what i would recommend. (if they still make it)
Sennheiser PC360

if you can find=* QPAD QH-1339 (OEM beyerdynamic MMX300)

Creative Aurvana Live! (Same as Denon D1001K, both OEM'ed by Fostex)

"$150 Price Range:

Ultrasone Pro 550

I added these just recently to the ultimate gamer section, not because they're amazing gaming headphones, but mostly because they're very respectable and do fill in for a price gap that's missing in the market. These have a nice sound stage, but what really sells most people on these is the awesome bass they have.

From here on out, the following headphones will need amplification. If you do not plan on getting a headphone amp of some fashion, I do not recommend you proceed further. The Audio Technica AD700 will be more than enough for directional gaming (e.g. First Person Shooters).

$200 Price Range:

beyerdynamic DT990 Premium

Has a very large soundstage, great imaging and have lot of bass. However it has many "problems" such as sibilance issues and harshness in the highs as well as recessed mids. The beyerdynamic DT990 600ohm version sounds the best but is more expensive than the Premium version.

$265 Price Range:

AKG Q701

Largest soundstage, in area, than any of the above headphones. The headband ensures secure fit but sacrifices comfort doing so. If comfort is an issue for you, the beyerdynamic DT990 or DT880 would be better suited. Sub-bass light.

beyerdynamic DT880

Much more balanced sounding than the beyerdynamic DT990 and AKG Q701. Has a smaller soundstage in area than the DT990 and Q701, but the imaging is still very very good. A very good compromise of a headphone if you want a balanced sounding headphone, but still want the imaging.

As there are different versions of the the beyerdynamic DT series"

hope that info helps
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